Mark Ballenger | AGW MINISTRIES

A Poem on Romans 9:14-16

October 19, 2015September 28, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.-Romans 9:14-16

The Love of God’s Election

I was just walking along when I tripped on grace,

I was doing nothing special, but suddenly I landed on my face.

There it was, just resting randomly in my path,

Praise the evangelist who chose to leave it there, and that I was lucky enough to find, to choose, and save myself from wrath . . . .

Is this really the explanation that I believe?

Do I really think God was not behind it all, making a mockery of my freewill awakening randomly?

Bible Verses on Church Discipline

December 15, 2015September 28, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Below are Bible verses on church discipline. While “church discipline” usually only refers to “casting the immoral brother out,” this article takes a wider lens. Church discipline in its most broad sense includes all the acts in which church leaders employ to “discipline” their church.

By “discipline,” this does not only mean correct; in its most general meaning, “discipline” translates to “disciple.” This type of discipline includes instruction, encouragement, correction, and many other actions done for the benefit of those being led.

While these Bible verses primarily relate to church discipline, these leadership qualities can be used by any leader in any sphere of influence.

Not all leadership comes in the same package. Not all situations require the same actions. Therefore, leaders should show their love through different levels of discipline. So here are 9 levels of discipline supported in the Bible through which Christian leaders can love those they lead.

Marriage, Parenting, and How to Not Let Children Take Over

December 7, 2016September 27, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Ideally, children are supposed to be a sign pointing to the health of the marriage. A strong union of love will always create life in a selfless way.

Likewise, God was perfectly happy in communion with himself, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He had no need within him that caused a desire to create humans. Rather, his desire to create us was because he was so full of love and joy within himself, thus he made others out of love so they too could enjoy him. It was not an emptiness that made him make us, but the fullness within himself.

God’s creation is a testament to his love. So often with humans, however, the good we produce becomes a temptation to neglect those we love, mainly God.

What Does It Mean to “Crave Pure Spiritual Milk”? 1 Peter 2:2

December 18, 2015September 24, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verse: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation . . . -1 Peter 2:2

If you’ve ever been around a newborn baby, you know that the one thing they need above everything else is there mother’s milk. My daughter came out of the womb hollering, kicking and screaming. She was completely unappreciative of all the work that the hospital staff, myself, and especially her mother had just done to get her out safely. No “thank you,” no smiles, no warm hugs upon the first time she felt her parents’ warm embrace. Just passionate screams. All the girl wanted was milk!

As soon as she latched on to her mother, she went completely silent. This is how Peter tells believers they should act towards the word of God in 1 Peter 2:2. Newborn babies instinctively know how in need they are of their mother’s milk. Besides it providing fuel to live, a mother’s breast milk provides essential vitamins and immune fighting nutrients to strengthen the infant’s weak system. Aside from the physical health factors, psychologically the baby feels warmth and loved by snuggling up to her mother skin to skin.

Does God Speak through the Bible or the Holy Spirit?

August 7, 2018September 24, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

How does God speak to us? Does the Bible or the Holy Spirit teach us everything we need to know about God? Does the Bible or the Holy Spirit lead us to an intimate relationship with the Father? Does the Bible or the Holy Spirit fill us with the power to obey and have the knowledge to please God? According to the Bible, the answer is “the Holy Spirit” to all of these questions.

What the Bible does claim, however, is that the Holy Spirit will speak through the Scriptures to teach us about God.

Tithing Your Time

November 23, 2015September 24, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verses:

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.-Ephesians 5:15-16 (NKJV)

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What Does the Bible Say About Happiness?

February 13, 2018September 23, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verses: 1 Kings 21:17-19

Affluence and personal peace at any price as the controlling factors of life are as ugly as anything could be. – Francis Schaeffer, The Church at the End of the 20th Century

What does the Bible say about happiness?

The United States Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Christians and non-Christians do not disagree that happiness should be a human goal, but they should disagree with how this goal is best achieved. So what does the Bible say about finding happiness?

Does the Bible Say It’s Wrong to Live Together Before Marriage?

March 20, 2018September 23, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Most Christians believe it is sin to have premarital sex, but what about living with someone of the opposite sex before marriage? Many people are strapped financially, so it just makes life easier if they can split the bills with the person they are dating or engaged to. And if they know they are going to get married anyway, what’s the harm in cohabitation before marriage, especially if they are not having sex?

Why Is Gay Marriage Wrong in the Bible?

December 15, 2015September 23, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verses: Romans 1:25-26

We know that the Bible clearly condemns homosexuality (Romans 1:26-28, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11), but why? Why is homosexuality, and therefore gay marriage, wrong in the Bible?

Why is Gay Marriage Wrong in the Bible: Gay Marriage Does Not Reveal God’s Character

Foundationally, it is important to note that all of God’s commands in the Bible are a reflection of his character. God commands what he has commanded for the same reason he has created everything in its original state before the fall – to glorify himself. To glorify means to exalt, to make known, to cast a light on, to make visible, or to reveal. Just as God made people in his image (Genesis 1:27), he thus made them for his glory (Isaiah 43:7), as bearing the image of God and glorifying God are the same.

Proof the Bible is God’s Word: The Clear, Consistent Call of the Gospel

June 11, 2016September 23, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

proof the bible is Godsword_ telephone — Bible Verses: 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. – Galatians 3:7-9

What proof is there that the Bible is truly inspired by God? Is there any concrete evidence that the message of Scripture is truly divinely authoritative in a way no other book is? What support do Christians have for claiming the Bible is really God’s written, perfect, infallible word?

Have you ever played the game “telephone?” If not, you start with a large group of people sitting in a circle.